Apparatus, systems and methods for securely storing media content events on a flash memory device

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are operable to securely store media content events on a flash memory device. An exemplary embodiment receives user-provided authorization information, compares the received user-provided authorization information with authorization information associated with the flash memory device, and permits access to a flash memory of the flash memory device when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information.

BACKGROUND

Media devices, such as a set top box, a stereo, a television, a computersystem, a game system, or the like, are often configured to receive aportable memory medium, such as a flash memory (FM) device that employsa universal serial bus (USB) connector. The storage capacity of suchflash memory devices are sufficient to store media content that has beenreceived by the media device. For example, the user of the media devicemay download a movie or a serial program event for later viewing and/orviewing on another media device.

However, the flash memory device must be kept under the physical controlof the user who has stored the media content of interest on the flashmemory device. For example, another user may obtain the flash memorydevice, and might delete or record over previously stored media content,much to the disappointment of the first user. Or, the user may haverecorded adult oriented media content, and the other user may be a youngadult who should not have access to the adult oriented media content.

Accordingly, there is a need in the arts to manage safekeeping of storedmedia content on a flash memory device.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods of securely storing media content events on a flashmemory device are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment receivesuser-provided authorization information, compares the receiveduser-provided authorization information with authorization informationassociated with the flash memory device, and permits access to a flashmemory of the flash memory device when the received user-providedauthorization information corresponds to the authorization information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below withreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a flash memory (FM)identification (ID) system implemented in a media device and a pluralityof flash memory devices; and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary media device with anembodiment of the FM ID system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a flash memory (FM)identification (ID) system 100 implemented in a media device 102 and aplurality of flash memory devices 104. Exemplary media devices 102include, but are not limited to, a set top box (STB), a stereo, asurround-sound receiver, a radio, a television (TV), a digital videodisc (DVD) player, a smart phone, a digital video recorder (DVR), a gameplaying device, or a personal computer (PC). Such exemplary mediadevices 102 are configured to access flash memory devices 104 upon whichmedia content events may be stored, erased, and/or retrieved.

An exemplary embodiment of a flash memory device 104 a is a universalserial bus (USB) flash memory stick. The exemplary flash memory device104 a comprises an optional flash memory central processor unit (CPU)106, a flash memory 108, and a USB connector (Con.) 110. The flashmemory 108 comprises portions for storing a flash memory identifier (FMID) 112, FM ID access logic 114, and stored media content 116. The FM ID112 stores an identifier of the flash memory device 104. Based upon theidentifier stored in the FM ID 112, the FM ID access logic 114 controlsstorage of, erasure of, and access to the media content events stored inthe stored media content 116.

The flash memory 108 may be any suitable persistent memory medium thatcomprises an erasable and reprogrammable transistor-type memory mediathat is configured with sufficient memory capacity to store, erase,and/or retrieve one or more media content events. In alternativeembodiments, the flash memory identifier (FM ID) 112 and/or the FM IDaccess logic 114 may reside in other memory elements.

Embodiments of the flash memory device 104 are configured tocommunicatively couple to the media device 102. In an exemplaryembodiment, the USB connector 110 of the flash memory device 104 a isconfigured to slidably couple to the USB port 118 of the media device102. Other embodiments of the flash memory devices 104 may employ othertypes of connectors that couple to the media device 102. Someembodiments may communicatively couple to the media device 102 using asuitable wireless medium, such as a radio frequency (RF) signal medium,an infrared (IR) signal medium, or the like.

When an authorized user communicatively couples the flash memory device104 to the media device 102, authority of the user is verified beforestoring, erasing, and/or retrieving media content events from the flashmemory device 104 is permitted. In an exemplary embodiment,authorization is based on the stored identifier residing in the FM ID112. To authorize access to the flash memory device 104, the userprovides authorization information corresponding to the storedidentifier to the media device 102. Once the user-provided authorizationinformation is communicated to the media device 102, the user ispermitted to store, erase, and/or retrieve media content events usingthe flash memory device 104.

In operation, the media device 102 is configured to receive a mediacontent stream 120 that comprises one or more media content events. Themedia device 102 is configured to process the received media contentstream 120 and to communicate a media content event stream 122 to amedia content presentation device 124, generically represented as atelevision or a TV. A video portion of the media content event stream122 is presented on a display 126 of the media content presentationdevice 124. An optional audio portion of the media content event stream122 is reproduced as audible sounds by speakers (not shown) of the mediacontent presentation device 124 or by another media content presentationdevice. Other embodiments of the media content presentation device 124may include a personal computer, a lap top computer, a personal deviceassistant, a net book, a smart phone, or other electronic mediapresentation device. Such embodiments may include the display 126 as anintegrated component.

The media device 102 and/or the media content presentation device 124are configured to receive wireless IR or RF signals 128 emitted by theremote control 130. The user, actuating one or more of the controllers132 residing on a surface of the remote control 130, is able to generatecommands to control operation of the media device 102 and/or the mediacontent presentation device 124. For example, the user may wish to viewavailable media content events. The user may selectively actuate thecontrollers 132 on the remote control 130 so that an electronic programguide (EPG) 134 is presented on the display 126.

The conceptual EPG 134 is configured to assist the user to select amedia content event of interest. An EPG 134 is a type of a userinterface that presents a menu, or a series of menus, with a combinationof text and symbols to represent viewing choices that may be selected bythe user. The available media content event information may include atitle of available media content events, a scheduled presentation timeand date, a brief subject matter description, and/or a “channel” thatidentifies the originating source of the media content event, such as atelevision studio, a premium movie provider, a national programprovider, etc. Here, the media content event “Program E-1” isillustrated as being highlighted on the EPG 134. Upon selection by theuser, the media content event corresponding to the “Program E-1” ispresented to the user on the display 126.

Alternatively, or additionally, the user may elect to save thehighlighted media content event “Program E-1” into the flash memorydevice 104 a. To store the highlighted media content event “Program E-1”into the flash memory device 104 a, the user couples the flash memorydevice 104 a to the media device 102 by inserting the USB connector 110into the USB port 118.

When the flash memory device 104 is coupled to the media device 102,power is provided for operation of the flash memory device 104 via theUSB connector 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the FM CPU 106communicates to the media device 102 that a user authorization isrequired before the user is permitted to have access to the flash memorydevice 104 to store, erase, and/or retrieve media content events. Inresponse, an exemplary embodiment of the media device 102 prompts orotherwise queries the user for the user-provided authorizationinformation when the flash memory device 104 is initiallycommunicatively coupled to the media device 102. Alternatively, oradditionally, the media device 102 may prompt or query the user when anaccess event occurs wherein the flash memory device 104 is accessed tostore, erase, and/or retrieve media content events.

In an exemplary embodiment, the user provides the authorizationinformation, via the remote control 130 or another suitable userinterface (not shown), to the media device 102. The media device 102communicates the user-provided authorization information to the flashmemory device 104. The FM CPU 106, executing the FM ID access logic 114,compares the received user-provided authorization information with theidentifier stored in the flash memory device 104. If the user-providedauthorization information corresponds to the identifier stored in the FMID 112, the FM CPU 106 replies to the media device 102 that theauthorization has been verified. Accordingly, the user is permitted tostore, erase, and/or retrieve media content events using the flashmemory device 104.

For example, but not limited to, when the user selects the highlightedmedia content event “Program E-1” from the presented EPG 134, the mediadevice 102 communicates the media content event stream, or othersuitable media content, corresponding to the selected media contentevent “Program E-1” to the flash memory device 104 a. The received mediacontent event is then stored into the stored media content 116 portionof the flash memory 108. (In some embodiments, there may be interveningEPGs, pop windows, or the like, presented to the user to confirm and/orverify storage of the highlighted “Program E-1” into the flash memorydevice 104 a.)

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary media device 102 configuredwith an embodiment of the FM ID system 100. The non-limiting exemplarymedia device 102 comprises a media content stream interface 202, aprocessor system 204, a memory 206, a program buffer 208, an optionaldigital video recorder (DVR) 210, a presentation device interface 212, aremote interface 214, and in embodiments configured to couple to the USBtype flash memory device 104, the USB port 118. Alternatively, oradditionally, the media device 102 may comprise other types of flashmemory device ports (not shown) that are configured to couple to othertypes of flash memory devices. Further, the media device 102 may includea receiver or transceiver (not shown) that is configured to receive RFor IR signals 128 from a wireless type flash memory device.

The memory 206 comprises portions for storing the media device logic216, the flash memory (FM) identification (ID) processing logic 218, andan optional flash memory (FM) identifier (ID) 220. In some embodiments,the media device logic 216 and the FM ID logic 218 may be integratedtogether, and/or may be integrated with other logic. Other media devices102 may include some, or may omit some, of the above-described mediaprocessing components. Further, additional components not describedherein may be included in alternative embodiments.

The functionality of the media device 102, here a set top box, is nowbroadly described. A media content provider provides the media contentstream 120 that is received at the media device 102 via a suitable mediacommunication system (not shown). Non-limiting examples of such mediacommunication systems include satellite systems, cable system, and theInternet. For example, if the media content provider providesprogramming via a satellite-based communication system, the media device102 is configured to receive one or more broadcasted satellite signalsdetected by an antenna (not shown). Alternatively, or additionally, themedia content stream 120 can be received from one or more differentsources, such as, but not limited to, a cable system, a radio frequency(RF) communication system, or the Internet.

The one or more media content streams 120 are received by the mediacontent stream interface 202. One or more tuners 222 in the mediacontent stream interface 202 selectively tune to one of the mediacontent streams 120 in accordance with instructions received from theprocessor system 204. The processor system 204, executing the mediadevice logic 216, and based upon a request for a program of interestspecified by the user, parses out media content associated with themedia content event of interest. The media content event of interest isthen assembled into a stream of video and/or audio information which maybe stored by the program buffer 208 such that the media content eventcan be streamed out to the media presentation device 124, such as thetelevision, via the presentation device interface 212. Alternatively, oradditionally, the parsed out program content may be saved into the DVR210 for later presentation. The DVR 210 may be directly provided in,locally connected to, or remotely connected to, the media device 102.The above processes performed by the media device 102 are generallyimplemented by the processor system 204 while executing the media devicelogic 216.

In practice, an exemplary embodiment of the flash memory device 104 isconfigured to communicate to the media device 102 that authorizationfrom a user is required when the flash memory device 104 is initiallycoupled to the media device 102 and/or if an access event occurs. The FMCPU 106, executing the FM ID access logic 114, communicates theauthorization request. At the media device 102, the processor system 204executes the FM ID processing logic 218 to prompt or otherwise query theuser for authorization information. Once the user-provided authorizationinformation is received, the media device 102 communicates theuser-provided authorization information, or an equivalent thereof, tothe flash memory device 104. The flash memory device 104 compares thereceived user-provided authorization information with the identificationinformation residing in the FM ID 112. If the received user-providedauthorization information corresponds to the identification informationresiding in the FM ID 112, the media device 102 is allowed to store,erase, and/or retrieve media content events. If the receiveduser-provided authorization information does not correspond to theidentification information residing in the FM ID 112, the access to theflash memory device 104 is not permitted.

Media content events may be provided from any suitable source. Forexample, the media content event may be provided in the received mediacontent stream 120, from the program buffer 208, from the DVR 210, froma remote server, from another memory medium coupled to the media device102, or even from another flash memory device 104.

In an exemplary embodiment, the user-provided authorization informationis the same as the identification information residing in the FM ID 112.For example, the user-provided authorization information and theidentification information residing in the FM ID 112 may correspond tosome series of alpha numeric characters, such as a password, a name, orthe like, that is known only to the user.

In an exemplary embodiment, the identification information residing inthe FM ID 112 can be defined by the user by inputting the authorizationinformation to the media device 102, which communicates the receivedauthorization information to the flash memory device 104. The flashmemory device 104 stores the provided authorization information, as theidentification information, into the FM ID 112. In such an exemplaryembodiment, the user may actuate one or more of the controllers 132 onthe remote control 130 to define a password, a name, or the like. In anexemplary embodiment, the media device 102 communicates the password,name, or the like to the flash memory device 104, which is stored intothe FM ID 112. For example, the user may select the numeric sequence“1234” as the authorization identifier. The numeric sequence “1234” isstored into the FM ID 112. At a later time, the user enters the numericsequence “1234” (here, the user-provided authorization information).Since the numeric sequence “1234” has been stored in the FM ID 112,authorization is confirmed and access to the flash memory device 104 ispermitted.

Alternatively, or additionally, a menu (not shown) may be presented tothe user on the display 126. The menu may provide for user selection ofnumbers and/or letters. The user, using the remote control 130, maynavigate about the presented menu and define a suitable authorizationidentifier. For example, the user may select their nickname as theauthorization identifier. Or, the user may select a more complicatedalpha numeric string for greater security. The same menu, or anothersimilar menu, may be later used to permit the user to specify theuser-provided authorization information that is required to access theflash memory device 104.

The identification information residing in the FM ID 112 may be providedto the flash memory device 104 at various times. For example, but notlimited to, the authorization information may be defined by the userwhen the flash memory device 104 is initially coupled to the mediadevice 102. Alternatively, or additionally, the authorizationinformation may be defined by the user when an access event occurswherein the flash memory device 104 is initially accessed by the user tosecurely store one or more media content events. Further, theauthorization information may be defined by the user when the flashmemory device 104 accessed to store individual media content events. Insome embodiments, the user may elect to change the identificationinformation residing in the FM ID 112 at any other time, such as insituations where the user chooses to change their previously definedpassword, name, or the like.

In some embodiments, the flash memory device 104 may be initiallyprovisioned with identification information residing in the FM ID 112.For example, the identification information residing in the FM ID 112may be predefined by a manufacturer, vendor, or other entity prior todelivery of the flash memory device 104 to the user. In suchembodiments, the predefined identification information residing in theFM ID 112 is initially communicated to the media device 102. The user,via the media device 102, may then elect to retain the predefinedidentification information residing in the FM ID 112, or may elect tochange the identification information residing in the FM ID 112 to amore meaningful password, name, or the like.

In other embodiments, the predefined identification information residingin the FM ID 112 is fixed and cannot be modified. In such embodiments, alookup table or other relational database is defined in the flash memory108. The lookup table or other relational database may be stored in theFM ID 112, stored in another portion of the flash memory 108, or evenstored in another memory medium. The user, via the media device 102,provides the initial authorization information which is stored into thelookup table or other relational database. The stored authorizationinformation is associated with the predefined identification informationresiding in the FM ID 112.

When an access event occurs and the user-provided authorizationinformation is communicated from the media device 102 to the flashmemory device 104, the received user-provided authorization informationis compared to the stored authorization information residing in thelookup table or other relational database. If the received user-providedauthorization information corresponds to the authorization informationresiding in the lookup table or other relational database, which isassociated with the predefined identification information residing inthe FM ID 112, then access to the flash memory device 104 is permitted.

Alternatively, the media device 102 may store the lookup table or otherrelational database in its memory 206. The lookup table or otherrelational database may be stored in the FM ID 220, stored in anotherportion of the flash memory 108, or even stored in another memorymedium. The user, via the media device 102, initially provides theauthorization information which is stored into the lookup table or otherrelational database of the media device 102. The media device 102 alsoaccesses the predefined identification information residing in the FM ID112, which is stored into the lookup table or other relational database.The stored authorization information is associated with the predefinedidentification information received from the flash memory device 104.When an access event occurs and the user-provided authorizationinformation is provided to the media device 102, the receiveduser-provided authorization information is compared to the authorizationinformation stored in the lookup table or other relational database ofthe media device 102. If the received user-provided authorizationinformation corresponds to the authorization information in the lookuptable or other relational database of the media device 102, which isassociated with the predefined identification information residing inthe FM ID 112 of the flash memory device 104, then access to the flashmemory device 104 is permitted.

In embodiments that employ the lookup table or other relational databasestored at the media device 102, the authorization function may beperformed at the media device 102. Accordingly, a plurality of flashmemory devices 104, each with different predefined identificationinformation residing in their respective FM ID 112, may be associatedwith the same authorization information provided by the user. That is,the user may use a single password, name, or the like, to securelyaccess a plurality of flash memory devices 104. When the authorized usercouples one of the plurality of flash memory devices 104 to the mediadevice 102, the media device 102 may access the predefinedidentification information residing in the FM ID 112 of that particularflash memory device 104. If the user-provided authorization informationcorresponds to the predefined identification information stored in thelookup table or other relational database, which is associated with thepredefined identification information residing in the FM ID 112 of thatparticular flash memory device 104, then access to the flash memorydevice 104 is permitted.

Similarly, in embodiments that employ the lookup table or otherrelational database stored in the flash memory device 104, theauthorization function may be performed at the flash memory device 104.Accordingly, a plurality of different users, each with differentauthorization information residing stored in the flash memory device104, may be associated with particular media content events. That is, afirst user may use their user-provided authorization information, suchas a such as a password, a name, or the like, to securely access one ormore media contents events that they have stored into the flash memorydevice 104. A second user may use a different password, name, or thelike, to securely access one or more other media contents events thatthey have stored into the flash memory device 104. When an access eventoccurs wherein the first user attempts to access the flash memory device104, the first user is limited to accessing those media content eventsassociated with their user-provided authorization information.Similarly, when an access event occurs wherein the second user attemptsto access the same flash memory device 104, the second user is limitedto accessing those media content events associated with theiruser-provided authorization information.

Alternatively, or additionally, a media content event stored in theflash memory device 104 may be configured to be accessed by multipleusers having different authorization information (passwords, names, orthe like). In such situations, the different authorization informationused by the different users is associated in the lookup table or otherrelational database with the same stored media content event. When anaccess event occurs wherein the first user attempts to access the flashmemory device 104 for that particular media content event, the firstuser is permitted access based on their user-provided authorizationinformation that is associated with the media content event. Similarly,when an access event occurs wherein the second user permitted accessbased on their user-provided authorization information that isassociated with the media content event.

In some embodiments, unsecured media content events may be stored intothe flash memory device 104. Such unsecured media content events may beaccessed by either the first user or the second user in an unsecuredmanner. For example, the first user may have stored a first mediacontent event into the flash memory 108. At some later time, the firstuser may store a second media content event into the flash memory 108that is secured by embodiments of the FM ID system 100. An exemplaryembodiment may use a flag or the like to indicate that access to thesecond media content event must first be authorized. When an accessevent occurs where the unauthorized second user attempts to access thestored and secured second media content event, the media device 102prompts or otherwise queries the unauthorized second user forauthorization information. Since the unauthorized second user cannotprovide the correct user-provided authorization information, theunauthorized second user is denied access the secured second mediacontent event.

In an alternative embodiment, the media device 102 may entirely managethe authorization and access process. In such embodiments, the flashmemory device 104 may omit the FM ID access logic 114. The FM CPU 106 islimited to managing the electronic reading and writing functions for itsrespective flash memory 108. The media device 102 defines, and thencommunicates, identification information to the flash memory device 104.The received identification information is then stored as a data file orthe like in the flash memory 108. The identification information may bestored like any other conventional data file that is storable in theflash memory 108. For example, but not limited to, a stored data filemay have header information, a file name, or other information is usedto denote that the stored data corresponds to the identificationinformation. The media device 102 may check for such data files, and iffound, may then require authorization before access is permitted. Thus,embodiments of the FM ID system 100 may be used by to provide securedaccess to a legacy flash memory device 104.

Some types of flash memory devices 104 may not have the FM CPU 106.Access to media content events is then managed by the media device 102.

In such embodiments where security is managed by the media device 102,the media device 102 checks to see if the flash memory device 104 hasbeen secured using the stored data file with the authorizationidentifier. If no data file with the authorization identifier has beensaved into the flash memory device 104, then the media device 102permits uncontrolled access to the flash memory device 104 so that theuser is permitted to store, erase, and/or retrieve media content events.On the other hand, if a data file with an authorization identifier hasbeen saved into the flash memory device 104, then the media device 102prompts or otherwise queries the user for the user-providedauthorization information before access to the flash memory device 104is permitted.

Embodiments are configured to permit an authorized user to store, erase,and/or retrieve media content events using the secured flash memorydevice 104. Alternatively, some embodiments may permit the storing ofmedia content events onto the flash memory device 104 in the absence ofauthorization of a user. Later authorization is then required from theauthorized user to permit retrieving the secured media content eventsfrom the flash memory device 104. Additionally, or alternatively,authorization may be required from the authorized user to permit theerasing and/or overwriting of stored media content events from the flashmemory device 104.

In some embodiments, the authorization information may be included aspart of the stored media content event. For example, the authorizationinformation may be saved into a header, metadata, or elsewhere in theflash memory 108. When an access event occurs where a user attempts toaccess the stored and secured media content event, the media device 102prompts or otherwise queries the user for the user-providedauthorization information. The received user-provided authorizationinformation is then compared to the stored authorization informationresiding in the media content event. If the user-provided authorizationinformation corresponds to the stored authorization information, accessis permitted. Otherwise, access to the stored media content event isdenied.

Additionally, or alternatively, in embodiments that permit individualmedia content events to be secured in the flash memory 108, a pluralityof users may be individually authorized to store, erase, and/or retrievemedia content events using the same flash memory device 104. Forexample, a first authorized user may securely store one or more mediacontent events in the flash memory device 104. The first user may definetheir own authorization identifier, or may be assigned an authorizationidentifier by the media device 102 or the flash memory device 104. Asecond authorized user may also securely store other media contentevents in the flash memory device 104. The second user may define theirown different authorization identifier, or may be assigned a differentauthorization identifier by the media device 102 or the flash memorydevice 104. Accordingly, the second user will be denied access to themedia content events stored by the first user. Similarly, the first userwill be denied access to media content events stored by the second user.In such embodiments, the authorization identifiers of the stored mediacontent events are associated with the flash memory device, eitherinherently associated by virtue of their residence on the flash memorydevice 104, and/or directly associated with a particular flash memoryidentifier residing in the FM ID 112 portion of the flash memory 108.

In the various embodiments, an optional flash memory device EPG 224 maybe generated by the media device 102 and presented on the display 126 ofthe media content presentation device 124. The exemplary flash memorydevice EPG 224 presents information that identifies media content eventsstored on the flash memory device 104 that is currently coupled to themedia device 102. For example, the title of a stored media content eventmay be presented so that the user understands which media content eventshave been stored on the media device 102.

In practice, when the flash memory device 104 is communicatively coupledto the media device 102, the media device accesses a content listingmaintained by the flash memory device 104. The listing indicates whichmedia content events are secured. Alternatively, the media device mayread the stored contents of the flash memory device 104 to identifystored media content events. The flash memory device EPG 224 may then bebased on the identified stored contents.

Other information may also be presented in the flash memory device EPG224. For example, but not limited to, a duration of the stored mediacontent event may be indicated. A source of the stored media contentevent may be optionally indicated. Information pertaining to the usedand/or unused capacity of the flash memory 108 may be indicated on theflash memory device EPG 224. Information identifying the user and/orinformation identifying the flash memory device 104 may be included onthe presented flash memory device EPG 224. Some media content events maybe secured, while other media content events may be unsecured.Accordingly, the flash memory device EPG 224 may indicate whether aparticular media content event is secured or not using text or agraphical icon.

For example, the media content event identified as “MC Event 3” isillustrated as being highlighted in the exemplary flash memory deviceEPG 224. An icon shown next to the highlighted media content event “MCEvent 3” indicates that it is secured. In contrast, a different iconnext to the media content event “MC Event 2” indicates that this mediacontent event is not secured, and thus is accessible by any other user.

Upon selection of the media content event “MC Event 3” by the user,embodiments of the FM ID system 100 prompt or otherwise query the userfor authorization information. If the correct user-providedauthorization information is received, then access to the media contentevent “MC Event 3” is permitted.

Some embodiments of the media device 102 may be configured tocommunicate to remote electronic devices. For example, the media device102 may be configured to communicate over the Internet or a WiFi systemto a smart phone or the like. In such embodiments, access authorizationto the flash memory device 104 may be managed from the remote electronicdevice. Additionally, or alternatively, the storage of, the erasure of,and the access to the media content events of the flash memory device104 may be managed from the remote electronic device.

Similarly, the flash memory device 104 may be coupled to the remoteelectronic device. Access authorization to the flash memory device 104coupled to the remote electronic device may be managed from the mediadevice 102. Additionally, or alternatively, the storage of, the erasureof, and the access to the media content events of the flash memorydevice 104 may be managed from the media device 102.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the FMID system 100 are merely possible examples of implementations of theinvention. Many variations and modifications may be made to theabove-described embodiments. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andprotected by the following claims.

1. A method for securely storing media content events on a flash memorydevice, the method comprising: receiving user-provided authorizationinformation; comparing the received user-provided authorizationinformation with authorization information associated with the flashmemory device; and permitting access to a flash memory of the flashmemory device when the received user-provided authorization informationcorresponds to the authorization information.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein permitting access to the flash memory comprises: receiving theauthorization information associated with the flash memory device; andstoring the authorization information in the flash memory device.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein permitting access to the flash memorycomprises: storing a media content event into the flash memory; andassociating the store media content with the authorization informationassociated with the flash memory device.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the media content event is a first media content event, whereinthe user-provided authorization information is first user-providedauthorization information, wherein the authorization information isfirst authorization information that is further associated with thestored first media content event, and further comprising: storing asecond media content event into the flash memory; and associating thestored second media content event with second authorization information,the second authorization information different from the firstauthorization information, and wherein the second authorizationinformation is associated with second user-provided authorizationinformation and is associated with the flash memory device, whereinaccess to the stored second media content event is permitted in responseto receiving the second user-provided authorization information, andwherein access to the stored second media content event is denied inresponse to receiving the first user-provided authorization information.5. The method of claim 1, wherein permitting access to the flash memorycomprises: communicating a previously stored media content event to amedia device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein permitting access to theflash memory comprises: erasing a previously stored media content eventfrom the flash memory.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein prior toreceiving the user-provided authorization information, the methodfurther comprising: receiving authorization information from a user; andstoring the received authorization information into the flash memory,wherein comparing the received user-provided authorization informationwith authorization information is performed by the flash memory device,and wherein access to the flash memory is permitted when the receiveduser-provided authorization information corresponds to the previouslyreceived and stored authorization information.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein the authorization information received from the user is receivedat a media device, and further comprising: communicating theauthorization information from the media device to the flash memorydevice.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to receiving theuser-provided authorization information, further comprising: receivingauthorization information from a user; and storing the authorizationinformation into a memory of a media device, wherein comparing thereceived user-provided authorization information with authorizationinformation is performed by the media device, and wherein access to theflash memory is permitted when the received user-provided authorizationinformation corresponds to the previously received and storedauthorization information.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: denying access to the flash memory of the flash memorydevice when the received user-provided authorization information doesnot correspond to the authorization information.
 11. The method of claim1, further comprising: identifying media content events stored on theflash memory; generating a flash memory device electronic program guide(EPG) that identifies the stored media content events; and communicatingthe flash memory device EPG to a presentation device, wherein thepresented flash memory device EPG indicates the stored media contentevents, and indicates which of the stored media content devices aresecured by the authorization information.
 12. A media device,comprising: a flash memory device port configured to communicativelycouple a flash memory device to the media device; a media content streaminterface configured to receive a media content stream comprising amedia content event of interest; a memory comprising a portionconfigured to store flash memory identification (ID) logic that isconfigured to compare user-provided authorization information withauthorization information associated with the flash memory device, andconfigured to permit access to a flash memory of the flash memory devicewhen the received user-provided authorization information corresponds tothe authorization information; and a processor system communicativelycoupled to the flash memory device port, the media content streaminterface and the memory, and upon executing the flash memory ID logic,is configured to: compare the received user-provided authorizationinformation with stored authorization information associated with theflash memory device; permit access to the flash memory of the flashmemory device when the received user-provided authorization informationcorresponds to the authorization information; and deny access to theflash memory of the flash memory device when the received user-providedauthorization information does not correspond to the authorizationinformation.
 13. The media device of claim 12, wherein the processorsystem, upon executing the flash memory ID logic, is further configuredto: retrieve the authorization information from the flash memory of theflash memory device.
 14. The media device of claim 13, wherein theprocessor system, upon executing the flash memory ID logic, is furtherconfigured to: receive the authorization information associated with theflash memory device from user provided information; and communicate theauthorization information to the flash memory device, wherein theauthorization information is configured to be stored in the flash memoryof the flash memory device.
 15. The media device of claim 12, whereinthe processor system, upon executing the flash memory ID logic, isfurther configured to: retrieve the authorization information from thememory of the media device.
 16. The media device of claim 15, whereinthe processor system, upon executing the flash memory ID logic, isfurther configured to: receive the authorization information associatedwith the flash memory device from user provided information; and storethe authorization information to the memory of the media device.
 17. Aflash memory device, comprising: a connector configured tocommunicatively couple to a port of a media device; a flash memorycomprising: a first portion configured to store flash memoryidentification (ID) access logic that is configured to compareuser-provided authorization information with authorization informationassociated with the flash memory device, and configured to permit accessto the flash memory when the received user-provided authorizationinformation corresponds to the authorization information; and a secondportion configured to store the authorization information; and a centralprocessor unit (CPU) communicatively coupled to the flash memory and theconnector, and upon executing the flash memory ID access logic, isconfigured to: compare received user-provided authorization informationwith the stored authorization information; permit access to the flashmemory when the received user-provided authorization informationcorresponds to the authorization information; and deny access to theflash memory when the received user-provided authorization informationdoes not correspond to the authorization information.
 18. The flashmemory device of claim 17, wherein the connector is a universal serialbus (USB) connector that is configured to communicatively couple to aUSB port of the media device.
 19. The flash memory device of claim 17,wherein the CPU, upon executing the flash memory ID access logic, isfurther configured to: receive the authorization information associatedwith the flash memory device from user provided information; and storethe authorization information to the flash memory.
 20. The flash memorydevice of claim 17, wherein the CPU, upon executing the flash memory IDaccess logic, is further configured to: receive a media content eventfrom the media device; and associate the stored media content with theauthorization information stored in the flash memory.